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The purpose of the Background Research Report is for you to gain knowledge about your Science Fair Project topic. This way you will be able to interpret the results of your experiment and draw conclusions based on the previous knowledge you gained by writing this report.Â
The purpose of the Background Research Report is for you to gain knowledge about your Science Fair Project topic. This way you will be able to interpret the results of your experiment and draw conclusions based on the previous knowledge you gained by writing this report.Â
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Here are some useful resources to help you ask, investigate, and experiment with your scientific questions!Â
Here are some useful resources to help you ask, investigate, and experiment with your scientific questions!Â
...and remember to record....Â
...and remember to record....Â
Keywords!!!!Â
Keywords!!!!Â
BACKGROUND RESEARCH
BACKGROUND RESEARCH
Background research is necessary so that you know how to design and understand your experiment. To make a background research plan — a roadmap of the research questions you need to answer — follow these steps:
Background research is necessary so that you know how to design and understand your experiment. To make a background research plan — a roadmap of the research questions you need to answer — follow these steps:
Identify the keywords in the question for your science fair project. Brainstorm additional keywords and concepts.
Identify the keywords in the question for your science fair project. Brainstorm additional keywords and concepts.
Find information or prior research on your topic. This is your background information that will educate you on your topic and help you make predictions for your science project.  Â
Find information or prior research on your topic. This is your background information that will educate you on your topic and help you make predictions for your science project.  Â
Use a table with the "question words" (why, how, who, what, when, where) to generate research questions from your keywords. For example:What is the difference between a series and parallel circuit?
Use a table with the "question words" (why, how, who, what, when, where) to generate research questions from your keywords. For example:What is the difference between a series and parallel circuit?
When does a plant grow the most, during the day or night?
When does a plant grow the most, during the day or night?
Where is the focal point of a lens?
Where is the focal point of a lens?
Why are moths attracted to light?
Why are moths attracted to light?
Which cleaning products kill the most bacteria?Â
Which cleaning products kill the most bacteria?Â
HYPOTHESIS
HYPOTHESIS
A hypothesis is a tentative, testable answer to a scientific question. Once a scientist has a scientific question she is interested in, the scientist reads up to find out what is already known on the topic. Then she uses that information to form a tentative answer to her scientific question. Sometimes people refer to the tentative answer as "an educated guess." Keep in mind, though, that the hypothesis also has to be testable since the next step is to do an experiment to determine whether or not the hypothesis is right!Â
A hypothesis is a tentative, testable answer to a scientific question. Once a scientist has a scientific question she is interested in, the scientist reads up to find out what is already known on the topic. Then she uses that information to form a tentative answer to her scientific question. Sometimes people refer to the tentative answer as "an educated guess." Keep in mind, though, that the hypothesis also has to be testable since the next step is to do an experiment to determine whether or not the hypothesis is right!Â
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A hypothesis leads to one or more predictions that can be tested by experimenting.Â
A hypothesis leads to one or more predictions that can be tested by experimenting.Â
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Predictions often take the shape of "If ____then ____" statements, but do not have to. Predictions should include both an independent variable (the factor you change in an experiment) and a dependent variable (the factor you observe or measure in an experiment). A single hypothesis can lead to multiple predictions, but generally, one or two predictions is enough to tackle for a science fair project.
Predictions often take the shape of "If ____then ____" statements, but do not have to. Predictions should include both an independent variable (the factor you change in an experiment) and a dependent variable (the factor you observe or measure in an experiment). A single hypothesis can lead to multiple predictions, but generally, one or two predictions is enough to tackle for a science fair project.
DESIGNING AN EXPERIMENT
DESIGNING AN EXPERIMENT
​Scientific experiments have specific parts. In the design of your experiment, be sure to include the following details.Â
​Scientific experiments have specific parts. In the design of your experiment, be sure to include the following details.Â
independent (or manipulated) valuable - the single variable you're changing or testing
independent (or manipulated) valuable - the single variable you're changing or testing
dependent variable - the variable that may change as result of the independent variable - it should be MEASURABLE
dependent variable - the variable that may change as result of the independent variable - it should be MEASURABLE
controlled variables - the variables that will not change, and are designed to be the same for each sample
controlled variables - the variables that will not change, and are designed to be the same for each sample
PROCEDURE
PROCEDURE
The procedure to your experiment is like the directions to a recipe. The more though the recipe, the more likely another scientist will be able to replicate your experiment.Â
The procedure to your experiment is like the directions to a recipe. The more though the recipe, the more likely another scientist will be able to replicate your experiment.Â
include repeated trials
include repeated trials
include times if necessaryÂ
include times if necessaryÂ
The Scientific Method
The Scientific Method
At the core of biology and other sciences lies a problem-solving approach called the scientific method. The scientific method has five basic steps, plus one feedback step:
At the core of biology and other sciences lies a problem-solving approach called the scientific method. The scientific method has five basic steps, plus one feedback step:
1. Make an observation.
1. Make an observation.
2. Ask a question.
2. Ask a question.
3. Form a hypothesis, or testable explanation.
3. Form a hypothesis, or testable explanation.
4. Make a prediction based on the hypothesis.
4. Make a prediction based on the hypothesis.
5. Test the prediction.
5. Test the prediction.
Feedback: Iterate: use the results to make new hypotheses or predictions.
Feedback: Iterate: use the results to make new hypotheses or predictions.
Here are a few sources of inspiration in choosing a Science Fair topic:
Here are a few sources of inspiration in choosing a Science Fair topic:
Look to your hobbies!
Look to your hobbies!
If you're a science nerd, coming up with a project that interests you might be easy. But even if science isn't really your thing, the great thing about the Scientific Method is that it can be applied to a huge range of areas. Pretty much any hobby or interest you have can serve as inspiration for a great science project. Here are just a few examples to get your creative juices flowing.
If you're a science nerd, coming up with a project that interests you might be easy. But even if science isn't really your thing, the great thing about the Scientific Method is that it can be applied to a huge range of areas. Pretty much any hobby or interest you have can serve as inspiration for a great science project. Here are just a few examples to get your creative juices flowing.
Solve Life's Mysteries
Solve Life's Mysteries
Everyday life is full of small mysteries—weird phenomena, old wives' tales that may or may not be true, a microscopic world we can't see but that affects us. By applying the Scientific Method, you can use your Science Fair project to address a real-life question that has always bugged you. Here are a few of the questions that I wonder about—try making a list of your own:
Everyday life is full of small mysteries—weird phenomena, old wives' tales that may or may not be true, a microscopic world we can't see but that affects us. By applying the Scientific Method, you can use your Science Fair project to address a real-life question that has always bugged you. Here are a few of the questions that I wonder about—try making a list of your own:
Can people really tell the difference between tap water and bottled water?
Can people really tell the difference between tap water and bottled water?
Do batteries last longer if you keep them in the freezer?
Do batteries last longer if you keep them in the freezer?
Does chocolate give people zits?
Does chocolate give people zits?
What makes ice cream get those nasty ice crystals?
What makes ice cream get those nasty ice crystals?
What everyday objects and surfaces carry the most bacteria?
What everyday objects and surfaces carry the most bacteria?
Is it my imagination, or does the radio get better reception if I touch the antenna?
Is it my imagination, or does the radio get better reception if I touch the antenna?
Use What's Handy
Use What's Handy
Taking advantage of particular resources available to you is a great way to make your project unique and/or easy to manage. If you live on a farm, you've got access to things most kids don't. If you live near a river or the ocean, or in the desert, you might want to study the ecology of your surroundings. What do your parents do for a living? If they are doctors or chemists or physicists, they might be able to get you special equipment, and they can certainly provide guidance. But even if they are not scientists, they may have access to helpful resources. If they work in offices, they might be able to help you collect samples of bacteria from computer keyboards. If they are teachers, maybe you can use their students as subjects for an experiment.Â
Taking advantage of particular resources available to you is a great way to make your project unique and/or easy to manage. If you live on a farm, you've got access to things most kids don't. If you live near a river or the ocean, or in the desert, you might want to study the ecology of your surroundings. What do your parents do for a living? If they are doctors or chemists or physicists, they might be able to get you special equipment, and they can certainly provide guidance. But even if they are not scientists, they may have access to helpful resources. If they work in offices, they might be able to help you collect samples of bacteria from computer keyboards. If they are teachers, maybe you can use their students as subjects for an experiment.Â
GENERAL WEBSITES
http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/
This site allows you to pose questions to scientists or to read through previously asked questions.
Learn about more about engineering.
Engineering Resources and Activities
http://nstacommunities.org/blog/2017/05/28/engineering-activities
A blog post from NSTA about engineering resources and activities for students.
http://kids.usa.gov/teens/science/
Provides links to Federal kids' sites along with some of the best kids' sites from other organizations all grouped by subject.
Interactive calculators for many measurement systems both commonly used like metric and U.S. and quite exotic like Ancient Greek and Roman.
A great interactive Periodic Table of the Elements.
An online publication that is searchable and contains articles about science and engineering.
A collection of videos that explain science and engineering terms.
A searchable site created by the US Government that allows you to search for various topics.
Find the answers to all sorts of science-related questions.
This website will take information about where you collected your research and create a citation for you. It includes information about MLA, APA, Chicago and other formats.
ALTERNATIVE SOURCES OF ENERGY WEBSITES
This site contains information about the different types of alternative energy.
Alternative Energy - National Geographic Video
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/alternative-energy
A video produced by National Geographic that talks all about alternative energy sources.
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/current.shtml
A page that explains alternative fuels for vehicles.
Energy Sources - Department of Energy
http://energy.gov/science-innovation/energy-sources
A look at all things renewable and alternative from the Department of Energy.
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
A great resources for how alternatives energies are being used now and in the future.
Renewable and Alternative Energy Source - Penn State
http://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/energy
A page from Penn State University that explains what renewable and alternative energy is and how it's being studied right now.
Renewable and Alternative Fuels
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/fuels/alternative-renewablefuels/
The Environmental Protection Agency's page about renewable and alternative fuels.
ENVIRONMENT WEBSITES
http://climatekids.nasa.gov/menu/technology/
NASA's environmental science page designed for students.
Environment - Federal Highway Administration
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/
A page that talks about the environmental impacts of transportation.
http://www.environmentmagazine.org/
A site that has numerous and up-to-date articles about environmental problems and issues.
This is the homepage for the Environmental Defense Fund, the organization that fights to protect the environment.
National Public Radio - Environment
http://www.npr.org/sections/environment/
A site offering written and recorded new stories about environmental issues.
Activities and resources specifically for students concerning the environment.
United Nations Environment Programme
This page offers a good global perspective on environmental issues.
United States Environmental Protection Agency
The Environmental Protection Agency's homepage.
FOOD, HEALTH, AND FITNESS WEBSITES
Information about recalls, foodborne illnesses, food product labels, food research, and more provided by the United States Food and Drug Administration.
Distracted Driving Prevention Toolkit - for Parents
https://www.kanetix.ca/distracted-driving-toolkit#parents
This site talks about the dangers of distracted driving.
A page all about food safety and preparation.
Health Information - National Institutes of Health
The homepage for the National Institutes of Health.
A page containing information about all things health including spread of diseases and safety.
HealthyChildren.org: Ages & Stages
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/Pages/default.aspx
A page that explains how children grow and develop at various ages.
Keep Kids Safe from Preventable Injuries
http://www.safekids.org/safetytips
A page dedicated to children's safety.
KidsHealth.org: Parents Home Page
A page dedicated to children's health and development.
Parents Central: From Car Seats to Car Keys - Keeping Kids Safe
http://www.safercar.gov/parents/index.htm
A page about safety tips concerning cars and kids.
President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition
This page has information about fitness and nutrition for students.
FORCES & MOTION WEBSITES
http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/
This site allows you to pose questions to scientists or to read through previously asked questions.
Beginner's Guide to Aeronautics
http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/k-12/airplane/
Designed by NASA, this page explains how planes work.
Forces and Motion: Basics - Simulations
http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/forces-and-motion-basics
Extensive simulations for various physics problems.
Khan Academy - Forces and Newton's Laws of Motion
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/physics/forces-newtons-laws
Lessons about force and motion from Khan Academy. These are presented as videos.
Kinematics: The Physics of Motion
http://www.compadre.org/precollege/static/unit.cfm?sb=2&course=1
Written lessons and explanations of physics concepts.
http://www.physics4kids.com/files/motion_force.html
This page explains forces and motion and provides examples and videos.
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2002/11jul_mgm/
Learn all about the physics of sandcastles from NASA.
http://kids.usa.gov/teens/science/physics/index.shtml
A list of sites for students that relate to physics.
NATIONAL SECURITY & SAFETY WEBSITES
The US government's biometrics page that explains what biometrics is and how it work.
https://www.cia.gov/kids-page/index.html
The Central Intelligence Agency page designed for students
A page designed to explain national security to students
Department of Justice - National Security Division
The National Security Division of the Department of Justice
http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/nsb
The FBI's page about national security
http://www.forensicsciencesimplified.org/
A page that explains all aspects of forensic science
The homepage for the National Security Agency
ROBOTICS WEBSITES
Carnegie Mellon Robotics Institute
A leader in robotic innovation, Carnegie Mellon University offers a wide array of information about what they are doing and have done.
http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/
A robotic competition and ideas for what students are doing with robots now
IEEE Robotics and Automation Society
Information about how robots are used in engineering
Find out more about the basics of robotics!
Robotic Industries Association
Offering webinars and more information about how robots work
https://www.asme.org/engineering-topics/articles/robotics/kits-for-kids-demystify-robotics
A source for kits that students can purchase to build robots
Robotics Alliance Homepage - NASA
NASA Robotics Alliance that talks all about robots in use today
http://idahoptv.org/sciencetrek/topics/robots/facts.cfm
Facts about robots
Sandia National Laboratories - Intelligent Systems, Robotics, and Cybernetics
http://www.sandia.gov/research/robotics/
A site that provides information about what people are doing with robots now.
TECHNOLOGY WEBSITES
http://www.bbc.com/news/technology/
This is a resources for articles about current technology
http://energy.gov/eere/buildings/emerging-technologies
Information about new technologies, this site was created by the Department of Energy.
The US Government site about technology, providing information and additional resources.
http://www.nasa.gov/topics/technology/#.VBLxFKNaarg
NASA's technology page, discussing all kinds of technology used by NASA in space and around the world.
http://www.techkidsunlimited.org/
Learn about what other students are doing with technology right now!
Technology - National Public Radio
http://www.npr.org/sections/technology/
Recorded and written articles about technology
Information about some of the latest developments in technology
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